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Klein Pulse

MSRP $ 700.00
# of Reviews 21
Average Rating 4.95/5
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Submitted by dr_king a Cross Country Rider from Denver
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:pine valley
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $700.00
Purchased At:College bike store a
Strengths:Stiff relyable frame
Weaknesses:paint chips off easily
Similar Products Used:yeti 575, specialized rock hopper, gary fisher
Bike Setup:xt drive train and shifters, Richey 4 axis stem, carben monky lite xc riser bars, WTB Rocket V IRC seat, cain creek headset, lx hollowtech II crank and bb, Fox F100 RLC, Mavic 819 UST and xtr hubs.
Bottom Line:I purchased a 1997 KLEIN brand new in 1997 and rode it until I broke a component and replaced it with an upgraded one. By 1999 I had replaced the seat post with a Thompson, the drive train with xtr, the shifter/levers with xt, the wheel set with xtr hubs and Richey OCR rims, the seat with a lighter one, and the fork with a Judy xc. I rode it for another 5 years without many problems. In 2008 I replaced everything again. it now has a new xt drive train and shifters, Richey 4 axis stem, WTB Rocket V IRC seat, cain creek headset, lx hollowtech II crank and bb, Fox F100 RLC, Mavic 819 UST and xtr hubs. it is PRIMO these days. I absolutely love this bike. it climbs like a champion and is quick on downhills. This is the best hardtale I have ever ridden. It is the Trek built frame with the cable routing on the top tube instead of inside the tube. The paint is the only complaint. It is all chipped off and chips very easily. Some day I will powder coat the frame. But if you find one that you want to buy then by all means buy it you will not regret it. A side note. I put a 100mm fork on this bike instead of the stock 80mm and it rides even better.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Ras Benek a Weekend Warrior from Manchester
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid: $140.00
Purchased At:Freeads
Strengths:Light frame, great components, gift of a price it seems!
Weaknesses:Yet to discover any
Similar Products Used:Shopped around all the manufacturers for new machines. Decided to buy used - better quality, better price.
Bike Setup:18 inch 1995 Klein Pulse Mountain Bike Frame
Rock Shox USA Psylo U-Turn XC Forks)
Shimano Deore XT Front And Back Brakes
Shimano Deore XT Crank/Chainset
Shimano Deore XT Front And Back Derailleur/Mech
Shimano Deore XT Brake Levers And Gear Changers
Use XCR Alien Shockpost
Hope Seat Clamp
Selle Italia Flite Seat
Mavic 217 SUP Wheels On Hope Tech Hubs Front And Back Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 Tyres
Qdod Handlebars
Bottom Line:Would you buy this if you could get it for £75 GBP?
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by alex a Weekend Warrior from witham essex uk
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2006
Favorite Trail:dambury
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $800.00
Strengths:again one of the beat in her class and for that money i dont think iv ever found anything that comes close stiff ride feel lovly finish a klein at normal prices, just go's to show old klines are still the rolls royce of mtb'ing
Weaknesses:crap paint it peels off in big lumps
Similar Products Used:again most due to job
Bike Setup:xtr,sid race all the useal stuff
Bottom Line:well done gary
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Thorbjørn Skamo a Cross Country Rider from Norway
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2005
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $1800.00
Strengths:The Bike is very stiff and fast. The bike is excellent on the road both gravel and tarmac. It is very responsive and you get the feeling that the bike just wants to go faster and faster.
Weaknesses:The Bike is a bit heavy and it might be a bit stiff for riding in the terrain.
Similar Products Used:Scott Elite Racing
Bike Setup:Rock shok duke XC 2003 fork and old STX shimano components.
Bottom Line:This bike is super good. If you can get the hold of one for a reasonable price don’t hesitate by it. I have had my bike for 7 years and a new bike that is this good cost about 1500 USD. My friends call my bike the magic bike. Because you always ride faster whit it.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Rick a Cross Country Rider from Danbury, CT USA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2004
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Purchased At:BikeExpress
Strengths:Lightest frame Klein ever made
Weaknesses:Way easy to dent
Similar Products Used:Klein Rascal, Attitude, Pinacle, Specialized Stumpjumper
Bike Setup:RS MAG20's, Control Tech Stem & Seatpost, Scott AT2-LF Bars, Aheadset, XTR V-Brakes (Team), Ringle SuperBubba F-Hub, Sun Rhyno-lite hoop, Mavic Crossride rear, Salsa TI Flipoffs XT combo levers, Bontrager TI saddle, F&R Velociraptors Kevlar, Joy Stix, Ritchy TI Logic pedals.
Bottom Line:This is the team racing frame that Rishi Greiwal rode. Lightest Klein frame (only) ever made. First frame Gary designed for f-suspension. Just before Trek bought them. All internal cable routing. With TI bolts and stuff, this bike is silly light! Climbs like its got a motor, handles singletrack like its got a brain. I cry every time I crash and it gets a dent. Every time I go for a ride and run into others, they just drool at it's weight. I hope I never kill it! And if I do, I hope Klein can bring it back to life. They just don't make em like this anymore! Can I give it 10 chilis?
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Peer a Cross Country Rider from Denmark
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2000
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Strengths:Very light and still stiff frame. It is the old pulse from 95 with the brass emblem. It still performs perferkt after 6 years off hard driving. Impressive climbing capabilities and fast acceleration. The painting seems to last forever.
Weaknesses:Easy to bulge since very oversized tubing. The anti-chainsuck do not work as ment to. The rare bottom bracket design.
Similar Products Used:Scott, Cannondale
Bike Setup:XT, RockShox MAG21ti, Tioga crankset, Syncros
Bottom Line:This is the fastest bike i have ever raced. It just seems faster than anything else.

I have climbed hills with this bike that none of my friends could do.

Finally the bike looks awesome (Green metallic) and draws attention everywhere.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Sammy Tan a Weekend Warrior from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:Anywhere interesting
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $2500.00
Strengths:Great Paint Job, Stiff, Climbs like a bunny in heat, Turn on a dime, Strong frame, Classic Kelin wielding, did I mention Great Paint Job, as light as the Adroit Frame. If you can get your hands on the first generation Klein Pulse like mine....GRAD IT!...the later version/variation can't hold a candle to this one.
Weaknesses:Harder these days to replace its headset and front suspension due to its rare smaller headset size.
Bike Setup:1995 Klein Pulse(Generation 1), Sweet and stiff Cook Bro Crank set, XTR, Spinergy wheelset (Ti), Funk Suspension, Brake booster & Continental semi slicks.
Bottom Line:Bought it in early 1995 (with the brass Klein emblem) and it is still ticking in 2000 going on 2001!!!The paint job is holding its own very well (Teal Green) Everytime I ride it...it alway live up to its name. It may not have the fancy looks of a full downhill bike but its holds its holds its own extremely well as a classic super light, race-ready hardtail racer. It has a beauty and presense of it's own.We don't have mountains in Singapore, why some of the folks here own heavy downhill rigs is beyond me but I am willing to race them for the finish line any day on my Pulse!

Now if I could only change the frot shock to Marzocchi or a SID...it will really be perfect and ready for another 5 yrs of thrilling ride. Klein Rulez!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jon a from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:Stiff, Excellent frame geometry, frame finish
Weaknesses:None!
Similar Products Used:Specialized Stump Jumper, Treck 8000
Bike Setup:Full XT, R/S Judy XC 80 mm, Time ATAC, Profile Stiffey
Bottom Line:I bought this bike with upgrading in mind. The original set up is trail worthy. The frame is the heart of the bike and meets Kleins reputation for frames. This bike is now upgraded with new everything and what a ride! This thing screams through the woods and can turn on a dime. I added a Thud buster post and that has made the ride even better. I do believe I will shed a tear the day I trash this frame, though, as stiff as the frame is, I might be in the grave before it is. 5 hot challupas!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Ian a Cross Country Rider from Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:anything
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:-Stiffer than nipples on a -30°C winter day (that's celcius folks!)
-very nice paintjob
-climbs better than king kong
-sweeet deal at $850 canadian
Weaknesses:-rock shox indy crap
-stock brakes and levers aren't too hot
-gripshift
-no clipless
Bike Setup:98 Klein Pulse, avid brakes/levers, rapidfire, LX/XT stuff, titec hellbentXC(very nice!), time pedals, rest is stock
Bottom Line:This bike has been real good to me. Stiff as anything... but not uncomfortable. The finish is amazing, you will cry over chips in the paint, not for long though when you remember how awesome a ride it is. Gary Klein really knows his stuff.

It works great as a beginner bike and after many an upgrade it could be very, very raceworthy. I suggest taking the indy c fork and throwing it off of your nearest cliff. It's like riding a pogo stick. It may as well be a rigid fork in the winter, the elatomers freeze solid.

Also get clipless, to make you cruise up those hills even faster.

Ten blazing indy c forks!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by troy bodett a Weekend Warrior from gig harbor washington
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:anything with dirt
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:stiff, strong, great looking
Weaknesses:tubing is too big
Similar Products Used:cannondale f500, specialized rockhopper a1 comp fs
Bike Setup:marzochi z.3 light, sram 9.0sl everyting else is XTR. bontrager race lite wheels
Bottom Line:this bike rules no doubt about it. i just upgraded it alot but the frame is still the best. I've had this frame for two years and gone through almost every part from abuse, but the frame kept on kickin. My only problem is that the paint chips real easily, and the tubing is huge so it's hard to find parts in it's size.i'd give the frame a five but the setup on a 98' pulse would have to be a 3
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Brian Smith a Weekend Warrior from Fort Worth TX USA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:Any worth riding
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:stiff, light, great climber
wouldn't get rid of it for anything
Weaknesses:Indy shock
Bike Setup:LX/XT componets, Mavic 517s
Bottom Line:It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by sasha lach a Weekend Warrior from bowral,australia
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:ferndale reserve
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:Light,stiff,climbs like a goat,looks the bollocks
Weaknesses:Indy fork
Similar Products Used:GT outpost trail
Bike Setup:LX,riser bar,marzocchi forks
Bottom Line:This is a very sweet piece of aluminium.Upgraded the forks to a 2000 mazocchi z3 bam 80.Buy one now!For the money there`s nothing better.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Gus a Weekend Warrior from Limerick, Ireland
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2000
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Looks beautiful
Climbs beautiful
Wonderfully stiff
Light
Manouverable
nothing like it at the money
Weaknesses:
Afraid I might break it, haven't managed that yet even though I try my best
Too stiff on fast downhills, but that's what you get with a good hardtail
Similar Products Used:
A couple of Treks in the same price range when I was buying it
Bike Setup:
'97 Pulse Comp, '99 XT groupset, Mavic Crosslinks, Thompson Elite seatpost, Selle Italia Flite saddle
Bottom Line:If you're looking for a bike and see one second-hand, in one piece and still the right shape, buy it!!!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by mike a Cross-Country Rider from chester VA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999
Favorite Trail:
when I get my lisence, anything tech. and dirt.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
fast eccel. very manurivable. sleek. strong. stiff.
Weaknesses:
none so far. very happy.
Similar Products Used:
bike shop stuff. this just felt the best.
Bike Setup:
manitou spyder. XT rear. avid brakes. BS shifters( or mabey it was 85 or 8S could't tell really.)
Bottom Line:had same problem as one of the reveiwees. the front chain ring, the grany gear, bent just when i needed it. But fixed the thing. just took a hammer and gave it a few taps and works perfect now. handles very nice. best bike i have ever had. you ride this and you would think you were riding a pro cross country bike. recomend it to every one, even a norba. oh well. ride almost every day doing drop offs, gap wheelies, and best of all eye balls from femals.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jason a Cross-Country Rider from Hudson, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Bear Brook
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
-shocks
-light weight
Weaknesses:
-derailers
Similar Products Used:
-GT Richochet
-Klein Pule Race
Bottom Line:has a great performance
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Antony a Weekend Warrior from NJ
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Handling, directness, gives you the urge to just fly.
Weaknesses:
Problems with the chain (snapped 3 times!) and bent the chainring (are Shimano losing it?) climbing a brutal hill (but cleaned it). Also the Indy forks gave up after three rides. All the problems were repaired at no charge!
Similar Products Used:
All I could in the same price range - just felt the best
Bike Setup:
Standard
Bottom Line:Excellent frame and performance only let down by mechanical problems.
Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Matt a Weekend Warrior from Hudson County,NJ
Date Reviewed: May 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Huber Woods/Hartshorne
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light and Fast: accelerates like a cheetah
Fit and Control: glides like an eagle
Made in the USA
Weaknesses:
None
Model discontinued-get it now!!!
Similar Products Used:
Specialized
Trek
Jamis (cool)
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:Like getting a BMW M3 for the price of a Honda Civic.Another strength:SEX APPEAL. Many women flirted with me already while on this bike -
even a Pamela Anderson-Lee look-alike!!!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Peter a Cross-Country Rider from East Coast
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
The closest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light
Stiff
Climbs well
Supposed to be durable
Weaknesses:
Stock crank, some other parts
Doesn't have the sex appeal (or paint or weld job) of a made-in-Washington Klein
Similar Products Used:
Fishers
Trek
Specialized
Bike Setup:
1998 Pulse Comp
Spyder fork
STX-RC to XT group
Bottom Line:I've never ridden a bike that climbed better or felt as solid. This frame is like a slab of marble -- no harsh vibrations when you hit something, but no compliance either. If you like the feel of aluminum, this is the ultimate choice. If you want a bike that sends all your energy into forward motion, the Klein is for you. If you want maximum comfort, look to steel or ti. 1998 closeouts like this one are your chance to get a Klein hardtail, with adequate parts, for under $800.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by matthew wagner a Cross-Country Rider from palos hills, il
Date Reviewed: May 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
palos-sag trails(s of chicago)
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
IT'S GOT THE FATTY TUBE AND THOSE WACKY CHAINSTAYS, LIGHTWEIGHT AND AND LOW PROFILE.
Weaknesses:
THE BIKE SENT EVIL PULSES TO MY REAR TIRE THAT HAS RESULTED IN AN AVERAGE 4 FLATS PER RIDE. WICKED EVIL, IT IS...
Similar Products Used:
GARY FISHER
CANNONDALE
Bike Setup:
ROCK SHOX INDY
Bottom Line:YOUR EYEIN ME AT THE SAME TIME I'M EYEIN YOU.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by David a Weekend Warrior from Eugene, Oregon
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light, excellent climber, very maneuverable
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Diamondback Sorrento
Bottom Line:This is an excellent bike. With Klein changing it's product line to meet the higher end market, it was awesome to get my hands on this bike during a 98 model clearout. This bike puts many bikes that I've ridden to shame.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by mudd a Cross-Country Rider from Centralia, WA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
rock candy
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
light
stiff
great handling
Bottom Line:nothing else even comes close!
Overall Rating:5






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